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Former Majority Leader and Member of Parliament for Suame, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, has provided insight into the internal politics of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) that led to his removal from the leadership position in Parliament.
His revelations shed light on the strategic considerations that influenced the decision and the role of President Nana Akufo-Addo in the process.
In an interview on Asempa FM on Tuesday, March 4, Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu disclosed that he had prior knowledge of the president’s intentions to replace him.
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According to him, about 80 MPs had informed him ahead of time about the plan and encouraged him to resist the move, pledging their support.
“Some of my colleagues, about 80 MPs, informed me ahead of time that the president wanted me out. Many MPs encouraged me to fight back, assuring me of their support,” he revealed.
However, the veteran politician chose to step down rather than deepen divisions within the party.
He stated that he did not want to be at the centre of any internal crisis and felt it was the right time to resign.
“I didn’t want to be the eye of any storm in the party. I felt I had had enough, so I decided to resign, and I said it there and then,” he added.
Providing further details, Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu recalled an emergency meeting convened by President Akufo-Addo before the upcoming elections.
At the time, the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) had yet to announce its running mate, but the president was reportedly concerned about the NPP’s declining influence in the Central Region.
According to Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, the president argued that the NDC was gaining significant ground in the Central Region, particularly with the possibility of Professor Naana Opoku-Agyemang being selected as John Dramani Mahama’s running mate and Cassiel Ato Forson taking up the Minority Leader role.
To counter the NDC’s growing influence, President Akufo-Addo saw Alexander Afenyo-Markin, who hails from the Central Region, as a more strategic choice for the Majority Leader position.
The move was aimed at strengthening the NPP’s hold in the region ahead of the elections.
“The president argued that the NDC was gaining ground in the Central Region, especially with Naana Opoku-Agyemang likely to be Mahama’s running mate and Ato Forson taking up the Minority Leader position,” Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu explained.
While many MPs reportedly disagreed with the reasoning behind his removal, Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu accepted the situation and opted to step aside to prevent further conflict within the party.
“Most MPs disagreed with this reasoning, but I saw where things were headed. Rather than make things more complicated, I stepped aside,” he stated.
The removal of Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, a seasoned lawmaker and experienced parliamentary leader, signals a shift in the NPP’s strategic direction as it prepares for the upcoming elections. With Alexander Afenyo-Markin now leading the Majority Caucus, the party appears focused on consolidating its strength in the Central Region, where the NDC is making significant inroads.
While the move has stirred controversy within the party, it remains to be seen whether this leadership change will yield the desired political benefits for the NPP or create further divisions. As the 2024 general elections approach, the party will need to navigate these internal dynamics carefully to maintain unity and electoral competitiveness.
Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu’s decision to step down rather than resist his removal underscores his commitment to party unity.
However, his revelations about the political manoeuvring within the NPP highlight the intense calculations that influence leadership changes. As Ghana’s political landscape continues to evolve, the impact of this decision on the NPP’s electoral fortunes will be closely watched.
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